On 4 April 2021, Tropical Cyclone Seroja struck Timor-Leste and eastern parts of Indonesia, triggering torrential rain and flash flooding. The floods swept away homes and destroyed roads, with parts of the Timor-Leste capital, Dili, now under water.
At least 157 people in Timor-Leste and Indonesia have already lost their lives. The death toll is expected to rise, with information still filtering through from the more remote regions of Timor-Leste.
Timor-Leste is also facing a COVID-19 crisis, with Dili under lockdown following a rise in locally acquired cases. Indonesia has also struggled to contain the spread of COVID-19, with over 1.5 million confirmed cases – the highest in South East Asia. The flood will heighten the risk of community transmission, with thousands of displaced residents forced to seek shelter together in close quarters inside evacuation centres.
Approximately 13,000 people have been affected by the floods and landslides, including more than 10,000 in Timor-Leste.
Caritas Australia are calling for donations so they an provide urgent, emergency support to communities in Timor-Leste and Indonesia devastated by the floods. Your donation means our partners on the ground can help provide clean water, food, hygiene kits and shelter to those who need it most.
For more information on how you can help, visit: https://www.caritas.org.au/timor-leste-and-indonesian-floods-emergency-appeal/.